SHAPLEIGH — The Town of Shapleigh lost a dedicated public servant when Selectwoman Ruth S. Ham, 81, passed away at the Southern Maine Medical Center on Monday night.

As well, the Sanford News lost a faithful correspondent. Ham brought readers the latest developments out of Shapleigh for years, going all the way back to this newspaper’s earliest days.

“Between her work for the newspaper and serving in public office, she was the epitome of a public servant,” said Foster’s Daily Democrat’s editorial page editor, Paul “Buzz” Dietterle, who co-founded the Sanford News with his father, Paul Dietterle, in 1980. “She will be missed.”

Ham’s weekly columns were filled with news about Shapleigh’s government and schools, features about residents of all ages, historical accounts, and the activities of local service organizations and the First Baptist Church. In her column, she often praised local volunteers and Shapleigh’s landmarks and assets and reminded residents about various civic duties.

Ham’s final Shapleigh column, submitted on Friday, Feb. 1, appears on Page B2 of this issue.

“Her love of Shapleigh and its people were evident throughout her columns each week,” said Sanford News Editor Shawn P. Sullivan. “She was a thoughtful woman, and we were fortunate that she was Shapleigh’s voice for our newspaper.”

Ham was the current chair of Shapleigh’s board of selectmen. In fact, she served on the board of selectmen for 33 years. Before her death, she had hopes of continuing to serve — she had returned her nomination papers to run for another three-year term this spring and would have appeared on the ballot as uncontested.

Ham also was Shapleigh’s assessor. As well, over the years, she chaired many boards and served on the planning board. She was a member of the Acton-Shapleigh Lions Club and the president of the local cemetery association.

Her newsletter also appeared regularly on the Town of Shapleigh’s website. On Tuesday, a notice of Ham’s passing was posted, alongside an announcement that the evening’s selectmen meeting had been canceled. The Shapleigh Town Hall was closed on Tuesday, so that Ham’s colleagues could mourn; it reopened on Wednesday morning.

According to her obituary, Ham was known by one and all as “Town Mother.” She was born on Dec. 14, 1931, in Pepperell, Massachusetts, and attended local schools and graduated from Pepperell High School. Before she met and married her husband, Warren, she wanted to become a nun to serve the poor.

“It was a high mark to reach, as Ruth has been a longtime Baptist,” her obituary said. “Soon she was smitten with Warren, and they married on Oct. 14, 1950, and made their home in Maryland. They were blessed with five children, and Ruth was fortunate to become a stay-at-home mom. She encouraged her children to learn the virtues of being honest, hard work never hurt anyone, and it was better to give than receive.”

In 1973, the Hams moved to their family farm in Shapleigh, which has been home for generations of the Ham family, according to her obituary.

“It was a change from the suburban life of Maryland, but Ruth didn’t hesitate with the challenges that living in the country would entail,” her obituary said.

Ham began attending the First Baptist Church at 600 Shapleigh Corner Road, and served as its treasurer for more than 30 years. She also taught Sunday School and was a Girl Scout leader. She was instrumental in starting the food pantry in the area.

“When you met Ruth, she was available to listen to your concerns and was always fair,” her family wrote in her obituary, adding that she preferred to do things right the first time around. “She was honest, wanted the best for the town and could be seen at all hours of the day or night working or volunteering for the town she came to love. She was instrumental in moving the town forward and was so pleased when the town dedicated the recreation fields in her name.”

Sanford city councilors had a moment of silence to honor Ham during their meeting on Tuesday night.

Ham is survived by four children, Jean Lynch and her husband, Jim, of Maryland, Karen Ham, of South Portland, Patricia May, of Kennebunk, and Kevin Ham and his wife, Debra, of Alfred; one grandson, Ryan Mayo, of Kennebunk; her siblings, W. Arthur, of Ohio; Ralph, of Pepperell, Massachusetts, Florence, of Leesville, Louisiana, Sara, of Jacksonville, Florida, Ida, of Riverside, California, Alfred, of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and Doris, of Stanton, California.

She was predeceased by her husband, Warren, in 2003 and by a son, Edward Ham, in 1980; and by three brothers, John, Paul, and Charles.

The Autumn Green Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A funeral service will be held this Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Alfred Parish Church at 12 Kennebunk Road in Alfred at 4:30 p.m. A reception will follow next door in the Hobbs Room. The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Bosse will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 2 p.m. until the hour of service at the church.